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Nearly one-third of all deaths worldwide are caused due to heart diseases. Diet plays a major role in keeping the heart healthy in fact certain food items can influence blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol levels and inflammation all of which are risk factors for heart disease. 

Leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach and collard greens which are well known for their wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are great source of vitamin K which protect your arteries and promote proper blood clotting. They have dietary nitrates that reduce blood pressure, decrease arterial stiffness and improves the cells lining the blood vessels.

Berries like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries contain important nutrients that keep the heart healthy and berries contain anti-oxidants like anthocyanins which protect against the oxidative stress and inflammation that give rise to heart disease. Berries are a good low calorie food which can be consumed as a healthy snack.

Avocados contain monounsaturated fats which help in reducing cholesterol levels and lowers heart risk.  The avocado group experienced reductions in LDL (bad) cholesterol, which increases risk of heart. Avocados are rich in potassium which is essential for keeping your heart healthy.

Fatty fish and fish oil, fishes like salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are beneficial for health. Studies have shown that eating fish can lower cholesterol levels, blood triglycerides, fasting blood sugar and systolic blood pressure. 

Beans consist of resistant starch which resists digestion and is fermented by the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Many studies have shown that eating beans can reduce risk of heart diseases and also help in decreasing LDL cholesterol levels.